Key facts
- The Indian Premier League's (IPL) business value has surpassed $20bn.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru was sold for a record $1.78bn.
- Rajasthan Royals was acquired for $1.65bn.
- The IPL's brand value increased 10.3% to $4.3bn.
- These transactions indicate growing investor confidence in the league's long-term value creation.
The Indian Premier League's (IPL) overall business value has surged to over $20bn, driven by significant franchise sales, according to a report by Houlihan Lokey. The league's value increased by more than 11% year-on-year to $20.6bn, fueled by the record $1.78bn acquisition of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the $1.65bn sale of Rajasthan Royals.
The IPL's brand value also saw a substantial rise, growing 10.3% to $4.3bn, an increase of over $1.1bn since 2023. This valuation growth follows a trend seen in other T20 leagues, such as the sale of stakes in England's The Hundred, which valued the competition at nearly £1bn.
Harsh Talikoti, a director at Houlihan Lokey, noted that cricket's transformation into a globally owned, institutionally backed asset class has accelerated. He highlighted that the IPL continues to lead in redefining the global sports landscape, with franchise valuations reaching new highs and private capital participation increasing. Talikoti emphasized that these transactions underscore investor confidence in the league's long-term value creation potential, citing its unique blend of sport, media, and consumer opportunities, supported by strong revenue visibility and a growing global audience.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru was acquired by a consortium including Blackstone, Bolt Ventures, Aditya Birla Group, and the Times of India Group. Rajasthan Royals were purchased by the Mittal family and billionaire Adar Poonawalla.